Not a good day for my neighbor across the street. Around one p.m. I heard horns and looked out to see this. This house had been recently remodeled and done up nice. I never met the people and I'm not sure who was who, but I know they saved the dog.
Looks really bad... Hope no one got hurt, and that the damage to the property was not much. In fires and other disasters like floods and Earthquakes, insurance will in time compensate - But when things which hold a deep sentimental value are lost, then it is always felt for a lifetime. I till this day have not been able to got over losing my grandfather's long double barrel 12 gage shotgun (which was stolen during shifting almost 25 years ago). As I child, I would clean it and thus keep it serviceable at all times. It was a duty which I took great pride in (I was under 12 at the time)... I never even fired it, as keeping it in good working order was my only concern. It I think was a 1920's model of BSA's 12 gage long double barrel (almost as good as the famous Holland & Holland brand). It was used by a thief who tried to rob a bank, but failed. His idea was to steal as much as he could, and then move away to live in India as a rich man, (these were the mid 1940s, when the nations of India and Pakistan were about to be created). So from the police auction, my grandfather bought it at a throw away price (to protect his family from the communal riots in those time). In time the few dozen rounds that my grandfather had in sture also decayed. As he was not really a hunter. That gun was only used as a deterrence. Anyway, the loss of that heirloom, is something which I have never been able to get past... Sure, I can buy lots of guns today. The newer Chinese made guns are so lethal and devastatingly accurate (with a phenomenal rate of fire), that a 1920's hunting shotgun today doesn't stand a chance in a gunfight. But when it comes to losing something which has a lot sentimental value, then is always very hard to take indeed... Even now, when I see old picture of my grandfather holding that gun, I now only get angry - As it was stolen under my watch. I never met my grandfather, as he passed away a few years before I was born. So that shotgun was like a connection I had with him... And to think that it is now in the hands of some criminal, really makes my blood boil... So I can imagine what it must me like for this person, who's house we can see on fire... But I am really happy that the Dog was saved!
Total loss Nobody was home at the time, so I haven't figured out who those people were I saw with the dog. This (fire) has always been a concern with my home. After Hurricane Rita destroyed our home, we moved here where my wife grew up. An older home on a fine wooded lot. But I just don't know how safe it is with the wiring. We replaced some, but still I worry. I always considered it a tear-down to put something new.
How come making homes out of wood is cheaper in USA? Over here, all homes are made from concrete bricks (as that is cheaper then wood). Wood also decays with time, and is also open to attack by termites. Plus functioning as a fuel for fires. I guess I am somewhat confused about the design philosophy. Perhaps this is because wood may be plentiful in North America, and so would make good commercial sense to use it as a construction material. But what does the building code has to say about protecting it from mishaps like this? Oh well, be it a fire, flood, Earthquake, or theft in one's home - It sure does hurt the same (no matter what material the home is made out of)... Which is why I'm really sorry for the guy who owns that house.
Oh, That would be terrible to come home to, now wouldn't it? even if there wasn't a lot of structural damage the smoke ruins everything.
Cement block homes Cement block homes are allowed in Florida and Hawaii to reduce termite damage. But wood will be required in most any construction. In my state of Louisiana, we produce more board feet of lumber per acre than any other state. It is abundant, cheap, and allows for architecural creativity. (My job affords me to personally see almost all new construction in this city. Including the largest being built. It's seven years in the making). AND RENEWABLE. The sad part of this is that ALL the virgin forests were cut first. I've seen structures made entirely of stone blocks and those just simply drop the jaw at awe. No matter what construction material is used, I admire all architecture and man's ability to build it great. And I really like steel frame skyscrapers.
I once saw a safety device wall fixture, (no bigger then a 1 foot long horizontal light fixture). It basially contained a flame retardant foaming liquid under pressure, inside a very thin clear plastic tube (of about 3 inches in diameter, and 1 foot long). If the heat from any flame reached it, the thin plastic would instantly melt - And so a flame retardant foam would then very quickly full the entire room. The device had no expiry life, and required no power of any kind. Just mount and forget about it. I think I'm going to head out today and search for it. It was very popular in the early 1990s, but I don't know why I haven't seen it since... Anyway, I believe that this is a wake-up for all of us - So now please take the time and somehow insure that something like this doesn't happen to any of our own homes... I will now soon be heading out to search for that flame retardant wall fixture today. I strongly suggest that we all also do something similar this weekend! ============== OK Editing this post right now, as while searching the net - I didn't find what I was looking for. But I found something similar which is just as good!!! Here are the links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STjMZz8gxbA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a77fD8fUayg They are selling it on Amazon dot com too! http://www.amazon.com/Flame-Defender-Ex ... B0030KM0V4 Let's now please join together in this search, to find the best way to keep this from happening to our homes!
I'm glad no-one was home when that fire took hold. I can imagine how I would feel if my house went up in flames - devestated!! I'm glad our 17th century cottage is built with three foot thick stone walls.
Oh that's terrible for you neighbors. Hope they were able to save alot of their possesions (and glad someone got the dog right away).
It is sad to see so many fires.Had small one here many years ago. Got even more smoke alarms.And pictures in fir proof boxes-or bank vault.But have seen how some of the (pros) do the wiring.Didn't care about the people.
Blissful, if you are worried about the safety of your home's wiring, the local fire department might be able to help. Here a resident can call the fire department that covers their address and the department will send a trained fireman to look at anything that might be of concern. He won't do repairs and won't advise as to whom to employ to do repairs, but he will point out problems, make a list, and give it to you. You may want to see of your local FD offers the same service.
Eileen and your home Your home seems to be one of those jaw dropping abodes. Do you know if it was difficult to bring it up to modern standards? How does all that work to install plumbing and electricity?
